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A Big Birthday Present Jesuit’s Foundation Gives Another $1 Million Gift to the School Jesuit president Fr. Richard C. Hermes, S.J. receives the check from R.J. Robbins Jr. ’77 JESUIT PERSPECTIVES • FALL 2017 35 Jesuit High School celebrated its 118th birthday nine days late due to Hurricane Irma, but it was worth the wait. During the celebratory Convocation on Sept. 20, Jesuit received a $1 million gift from the school’s Foundation. The gift, which was announced by Foundation president Brian Mooney ’81, is the second $1 million donation from the Foundation toward Jesuit’s $40 million ’For Greater Glory’ capital campaign. Also, Tampa City Councilman Mike Suarez, P ’12 issued a special commendation at the Convocation to Jesuit High School, for the prominent role it has played in supporting and strengthening the city since the school’s inception on Sept. 11, 1899. After Suarez spoke, Mooney announced the gift as Foundation member R.J. Robbins Jr. ’77 presented the $1 million check to school president Fr. Richard C. Hermes, S.J. The Foundation’s fi rst $1 million gift, in 2014, was earmarked toward Phase I of the ’For Greater Glory’ campaign. Phase I is nearing completion and includes Gonzmart Hall, a 32,000-square foot administration building (see p. 20), and Two young Jesuit High School alumni, Justin Kelley ’14 and Jeff Mirafl or ’13, have recently entered the novitiate for the Society of Jesus and are in Jesuit formation. Mirafl or spent three years at the University of Central Florida majoring in electrical engineering before entering last year. “I guess I realized calculus is miserable,” Mirafl or said with a smile while visiting Jesuit in August. “Actually, the seed was planted during my junior Kairos Retreat. I saw the fulfi llment and joy that Fr. Hermes, Fr. Hough, and Fr. Brou had in their lives, and the care that they the beautiful Chapel of the Holy Cross. This new $1 million gift will go toward Phase II, which will feature a spectacular new Fine and Performing Arts Center as its centerpiece (see p. 18). The Jesuit High School Foundation, Inc. is an independent advisory group comprised of alumni, current and past parents, and community friends. They pay membership dues and meet three times a year to report on various facets pertaining to the school. Though incorhave From Jesuit to the Jesuits for the students, and it made me want to do the same someday.” Kelley attended the University of South Florida for a year before transferring to porated in 1960, the Foundation was instrumental years prior to the building of the current Himes Ave. campus through private donations, investments, and advice. In addition to Mooney and Robbins, Foundation members present for the Sept. 20 ceremony were Brian Smith ’87, Tom Willett ’62, Mark Donohue ’71, Luis Martinez-Monfort ’90, Henry Gonzalez ’86, Rudy Rodriguez ’75, and Peter Hobson, P ’09. Ave Maria University and then entering the novitiate this year. He was the Jesuit’s Larion J. Elliot, S.J. Award recipient – for dedication and commitment to Christ and the Church through the example of his Christian life – in 2014. “It was just sort of a gradual process, until it felt like I was just putting it off ,” Kelley said of his desire to become a Jesuit priest. “I was ready.” Kelley and Mirafl or join four other young alumni currently in formation for the priesthood: Anthony Astrab ’04, Alex Posada ’08, Connor Penn ’11, and Emmanuel Diaz ’15. Justin Kelley (left) and Jeff Mirafl or


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